'Couple of nuts selling quality nuts'

MOKELUMNE HILL - So what kind of person works a straight job all week, spends the weekend operating a small business and then is also active in the booster group for the high school band their kids are in?

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By Dana M. Nichols

recordnet.com

By Dana M. Nichols

Posted Dec. 2, 2012 at 12:01 AM

By Dana M. Nichols

Posted Dec. 2, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Mokelumne Hill Nuts

Location: 8299 Main St., Mokelumne HillInformation: mokehillnuts.comHistory: Steve Brown was laid off from a truck driving job in 2003. The brother of his wife, Judy, h...

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Mokelumne Hill Nuts

Location: 8299 Main St., Mokelumne Hill

Information: mokehillnuts.com

History: Steve Brown was laid off from a truck driving job in 2003. The brother of his wife, Judy, had had some success selling nuts from a fruit stand on Highway 12, so Steve started selling nuts at fairs and festivals. The business took off, and in 2008 he and his wife opened their shop.

Employees: Just three, and they are really partners rather than employees.

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MOKELUMNE HILL - So what kind of person works a straight job all week, spends the weekend operating a small business and then is also active in the booster group for the high school band their kids are in?

You're right, and Steve and Judy Brown admit it on their business card: "Just a couple of nuts selling quality nuts," it says.

Still, they also claim to get plenty of sleep and to be entirely happy to be owners of Mokelumne Hill nuts, a small shop in downtown Mokelumne Hill that is open only on weekends.

They first tried the business after Steve Brown got laid off from his trucking job in 2003.

Steve started hawking nuts at events and fairs. Judy used her 20 years of retail experience working for a drugstore chain to advise on inventory and management.

It turned out to be a small but profitable enterprise. As time went on, they built a customer base. They opened the store in October 2008. Since then, their Christmas business has doubled. The most popular product this time of year: chocolate cherries.

Now, they both work for Amador County government during the week and then tend the shop on Saturdays and Sundays. A partner who is a baker makes bread and minds the store on Fridays.

Although the store also has boutique soap, antiques and other products sold on consignment, Judy Brown said 85 percent of the revenue comes from nuts and related candies, and specialty treats.

Brown's experience managing a tight retail ship shows. She keeps on hand only the inventory she needs. That means that products are always fresh, a key selling point for customers, she said.

Although the Browns do have a commercial kitchen where they produce some popular products - such as scones - virtually all of their flavored nuts and specialty products are produced elsewhere, mostly in the Central Valley.

What the Browns do is to package those delights, serve samples to customers and fulfill orders. The Browns say that they often assemble and ship gift packages for customers.

"We've shipped all over," Steve Brown said.

"Florida, Minnesota," Judy Brown said.

Throw in a little clever marketing. The official business motto posted on the website, for example, refers to Mokelumne Hill's longtime status as a refuge for artists, musicians and eccentrics: "Who knew so many nuts could be found in one small town."